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scout266's avatar
scout266
Explorer
Sep 24, 2014

Starcraft fresh water pump/dry camping

Ok, so I have a 2014 Starcraft AR-ONE. This weekend was my first time using it at a location with no hook-ups. Before the trip, I read the manual and it stated that if I was dry camping I could attach a hose to the city water fill point and put the other end of the hose in a source of fresh water (I used my large prepper-type water containers which did not have a spout, otherwise I would just have poured the water in the fresh water fill port). The manual went on to say that you would then just turn on the water pump switch inside the trailer (DC operated) and the water would be pulled from the water jug into the RV. The only note it said was to allow additional time for this process.

Well, I went on the trip and no attempts of this process worked. I tried "priming" the water hose with water (not mentioned in the manual) and that didn't help. There was zero suction on the hose. I called starcraft and at first the lady said you can't do this--but I read the manual verbatim. She then handed me off to a tech, who said "yeah, it's a pain in the butt." He mentioned priming it with water, etc. but that was no help.

So, I'm a little pissed because I read the manual before I purchased the TT and knew that this was an advertised capability. I now just wonder if it is not at all set up to do this and that the manual is just misprinted. To add, the water pump does work just fine at pumping fresh water in/around the trailer--It seems to work as advertised for the normal function.

I ended up going to Wal Mart and buying a couple of 6 gallon jugs with handles and spouts to do the job.

Any help/info/comments would be appreciated. I'm a bit of a newbie to Travel Trailers.

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  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Sep 25, 2014
    My 2008 STARCRAFT trailer only has one city water port and a manual fill only for the fresh water tank. My water pump only pulls water from the fresh water tank or from a hose that has a stopper on the end and a ON-OFF valve that you can stick down inside a pink anti-freeze jug.

    My water flow diagram looks like this one from google search...


    I guess the newer and bigger trailers may incorporate a water panel where you can redirect the flow etc...

    I carry a couple of 5-gal totes to use if I have to carry water from the bath house to fill the fresh water tank. Also always have a two wheeled cart with me for the heavy fresh water and gray water tote trips we have to do when camping without hookups.

    Got to keep in mind the trailer instruction manual are really generic so they can fit all the different models with just a few well placed words here and there...

    The specific manuals and instructions for the provided appliances are what is important for you.

    Roy Ken
  • jfkmk's avatar
    jfkmk
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2014
    OB, your diagram shows exactly why the instructions are wrong. The check (one way) valves would prevent the water from flowing from the city water connection back into the tank. The gravity fill does not have a hose connection.

    Scout, it would be very interesting to hear what Starcraft says about this matter. Had to laugh about your "if so equipped" statement. The manual is full of them!

    We've had our AR-One for 3 years now and it's given us no problems. Things like the filler yellowing is disappointing but is not unheard of for campers in any price range. These are entry level trailers with little glitz. But, after all, it's camping!

    Keep us posted as to what Starcraft says. Thanks!
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Sep 25, 2014
    That would only work IF you have a water panel with switches/valving with a 'fill/winterize' position.

    This is an example of a water panel that does allow use of pump to suck from a container but it doesn't fill tank....it just pumps thru system without sucking out of fresh water tank.



    If you have just a city water connection and you gravity fill fresh water tank it isn't going to work.....physically impossible
    City water ties into main cold water line which is also the pump discharge line.

    Pump suction line goes into fresh water tank and may have a winterizing kit installed but the pump suction does not connect with city water line.

    This is a basic rv water system








    ON EDIT:
    After reading the manual I think the confusion is in the 'instructions'
    You only have 2 connections on side of rig.
    One is for city water and the other is for gravity fill.
    Question........is the gravity fill an 'open' port or is it a hose connection?
  • scout266's avatar
    scout266
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2014
    Here is the excerpt from the manual (and I used my normal freshwater hose and fitted it to the city water port and put the other end in the water container)

    Dry camping
    You can gravity fill the fresh water system if you do not have access to city water;
    however, allow extra time to fill the fresh water system if you are using this
    method.
    Follow the steps listed above; however, at step 3 put the other end of the non-toxic
    drinking water hose into your container of fresh water, and turn ON the water
    pump (instead of turning ON the water at the water source.) When the fresh water
    tank is full, shut OFF the water pump and disconnect the non-toxic drinking water
    hose.
  • scout266's avatar
    scout266
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2014
    jfkmk:

    Yeah to me it didn't make total sense when I read that section in my manual because I wondered how the plumbing would allow it. However, it clearly states that it can be done and how to do it. I just don't think starcraft has their act together on this. I may email them and query again--they need to fix the manual if this is totally incorrect.

    I have a 16 BH and have been relatively happy with it..though there have been some snags (wrong class tires on delivery--which I noticed when I read the placard). We also have gotten some discoloration on our ceiling where it looks like they used a type of nail hole filler/spackle--which was originally white but is now yellow. Not a big deal, but not optimum
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2014
    westend wrote:
    ... . A guy could also attach a longer pickup hose to the winterization connection and pull water in that manner....



    I can't provide any help to the OP, but "westend" ... what a fantastic idea! The first thing I did after purchasing my new Outback was to install the weatherization kit (hose). The pump draws from the attached hose from the gallon "pink stuff" .... Simply by using a larger container (I have several 6 gallon military style containers and alwasy carry 2 of them even with full hooks up or not). Your suggestion is brilliant! Thanks!
  • jfkmk's avatar
    jfkmk
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2014
    OK, I had to get something else from my trailer so I also brought in the manual. The section of using the city water fill to "pressure fill" the fresh water holding tank makes absolutely no sense to me. I've been through the entire manual before but never paid too much attention to this section since I use the gravity fill if I'm going to fill the fresh water tank.

    The section of using the city water fill is exactly what I would do if I was going to use a city water hook up WITHOUT filling the tank. In fact, in this section of the manual, step 6 states that after the water heater is filled, the lines will fill and you may get air pockets (this is typical). The entire section NEVER states that the fresh water tank will fill, and frankly, I wouldn't expect it to (nor would you want it to, it would just keep overflowing!!).

    I see what you mean about the dry camping section and using the city water connection to fill the tank from a container. Still makes no sense. The only thing I can think of, is if you use this method, you'll have to use a hose that actually screws onto the city water connection, Otherwise, you'll never get the vacuum to fill it.

    When I get a chance, I'm going to look at the valving to see if there is a way to line up the valves to make this happen.

    Sorry I couldn't answer your question.
  • Dakota98's avatar
    Dakota98
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2014
    You indicated that you will be dry-camping. Knowing & understanding your 12 volt system will be very important in these situations.

    Another "must read" for new owners of an RV.

    http://www.trojanbattery.com/tech-support/battery-maintenance/
  • jfkmk's avatar
    jfkmk
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2014
    Hi, I have an AR-One 17RD and for the life of me, I can't imagine how that would work. My manual is in the trailer, so I can't check it out right now, but I'm going to look at it tomorrow. The city water hookup depends on city water pressure since it bypasses the pump. As Westend stated, you could use the winterizing hose, which uses the pump to suck the antifreeze from the bottle. The valve for this is typically closed, so you would have to find it. On my tt it is under the dinette seat. I'll check my manual tomorrow and post my findings.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Sep 24, 2014
    I know there are owners of that same TT on this Forum and hopefully one will post with exact information. AFAIK, most TT's that have a "City water fill" connection on the exterior have that fill line connected to the fresh water system after the pump. In that situation, there would be no way for the onboard pump to pull water out of a container, the connection relies on the pressure of the camp ground system for your water.

    I have read of some TT owners either plumbing the winterization pick-up hose into the supply lines and using that connection for pulling out of a container. A guy could also attach a longer pickup hose to the winterization connection and pull water in that manner.

    Good luck with the water system, it sounds like you now have the situation in hand.

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